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A LOCAL HERO
3-23-2022
“May Allah have mercy on him”.
We often hear these words being uttered when we learn about the passing of a Muslim. After which, people would mention how good that person was, what they accomplished, who they helped, and so on, to the point where one wishes they had known the person, got to know them better, or had the privilege of befriending the person who passed on.
However, we rarely mention such comments about a person who is still alive. So let me tell you about someone I consider a local hero here in Victoria, BC. He is brother Yousif Hamad, may Allah have mercy on him. That's right, “May Allah have mercy on him”, as this sentence is not exclusive to people who died.
Over the last three decades, the impact he had and continues to have on the local community would be very hard to match. I will only mention a few things as there are too many things to mention than the allowed space.
Shortly after arriving in Canada, he took the lead in helping out in the community, from preparing the space for Jumuah, giving the Athan, delivering the khutbah, running a Madrasah, to initiating an Iftar program for University Students.
I, for one, know that if I find myself in trouble with my car which did happen on more than one occasion, I call brother Yousif. He rescued me as well as many others on numerous occasions.
While in the Masjid, you can’t help but notice that young children run to “Uncle Yousif”, the only one they know by name. He jokes, plays, and wrestles with them while offering delicious candy to increase their attachment to the Masjid.
As for the elderly in the community, brother Yousif would visit them if they get sick and take them out so they don’t feel neglected. He would also act as a personal assistant for them to any personal matter that they need help with.
The sisters in the community know to call brother Yousif whenever they need assistance setting up tables and chairs for an event or a function, or whenever they need help with professional or personal matters.
Brother Yousif taught English as a second language to newcomers for many years. With the recent surge of refugees, brother Yousif played a key role in helping with translation, booking appointments, driving to medical facilities, moving houses, providing cooked meals, and delivering nonperishable food baskets. He even helped some of them with driving lessons using his personal car.
In the past several years, brother Yousif has been single-handedly attending to the services that allow the local Masjid to be up and running including, but not limited to, cleaning, preparation for Salah, driving the Imam, maintaining events schedule, selling food, managing inventory, making announcements, and fundraising. He would be spending not only his time but his money as well, on such services without expecting anything in return.
He also broadcasted every Khutbah and every lecture live since way before the pandemic, using his own equipment and coming early enough to set up with unprecedented dedication.
This past Ramadan (2021), brother Yousif prepared and distributed Food Baskets for 51 families (Dates, Flour, Sugar, Oil, and Rice). He also, together with his wife, prepared and distributed 500+ Iftar meals during Ramadan and the 6 days of the fasting of Shawwal. To have a good perspective, compare these numbers with the numbers from your local Masjid or organization. MashaAllah. Allahu Akbar.
There is more to say about brother Yousif Hamad, however, I hope the aforementioned examples are sufficient to draw a picture. I conclude by mentioning this great Prophetic Hadeeth that illustrates how Islam, as a faith, goes far beyond personal worships (such as prayer and fasting) and covers much more terrain in the Muslim’s life especially when it comes to helping others:
Abdullah bin Omar -may Allah be pleased with them- narrated that the messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- said:
“The most beloved of people to Allah are those that are most beneficial [in their actions] to people, and the most beloved deed to Allah -Almighty- is the appeasing of a [fellow] Muslim, or the alleviation of trouble from him/her, or the paying of a debt of his/her behalf, or the lightening of his/her hunger. Indeed, assisting my Muslim brother in his/her need is more beloved to me than retreating in the mosque for a month. Indeed, whoever shields his anger, Allah will conceal his faults. Whoever controls his anger, even though if he wanted to let it show he is able to, Allah will fill his heart with content on the Day of Judgement. Whoever accompanies his fellow Muslim in addressing their need until it is resolved, Allah -Almighty- will resolve his steps steadfast in the day where steps are [shaken]. Indeed, bad mannerism corrupts the deeds [of the person] the same way vinegar corrupts honey. (Narrated by At-Tabarani)
Written by Zoheir Tahar -Former Imam at Masjid Al-Iman, Victoria, BC.
Picture (2018): Zoheir Tahar (Left) Yousif Hamad (Right)
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